A method for sulfonation of poly(phenylene ether) can comprise: dissolving a poly(phenylene ether) comprising 2,6-dimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether units, 2,3,6-trimethyl-1,4-phenylene ether units, 3,3′,5,5′-tetramethyl-4,4′-dihydroxybiphenyl ether units, or a combination thereof in a mixture of 1,2-dichloroethane and a cosolvent to form a solvent mixture in a mixing vessel, wherein the cosolvent comprises at least one of methyl ethyl ketone, diethyl ether, methyl ethyl sulfone, ethyl acetate, or tetramethylene sulfone; combining a sulfonating agent with the solvent mixture, wherein the sulfonating agent reacts with the poly(phenylene ether) to form sulfonated poly(phenylene ether); precipitating the sulfonated poly(phenylene ether); and filtering the precipitated sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) to form a sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) precipitate and a filtrate; wherein the sulfonated poly(phenylene ether) has a sulfonation level of 20 to 50%.

A polymer electrolyte membrane of the present disclosure comprises a perfluorosulfonic acid resin (A), wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane has a phase-separation structure having a phase where fluorine atoms are detected in majority and a phase where carbon atoms are detected in majority, in an image of a membrane surface observed under an SEM-EDX, and the polymer electrolyte membrane has a phase having an average aspect ratio of 1.5 or more and 10 or less in an image of a membrane cross-section observed under an SEM.

A polymer electrolyte membrane of the present disclosure comprises a perfluorosulfonic acid resin (A), wherein the polymer electrolyte membrane has a phase-separation structure having a phase where fluorine atoms are detected in majority and a phase where carbon atoms are detected in majority, in an image of a membrane surface observed under an SEM-EDX, and the polymer electrolyte membrane has a phase having an average aspect ratio of 1.5 or more and 10 or less in an image of a membrane cross-section observed under an SEM.

A membrane electrode assembly for the fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer assembled to one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a cathode catalyst layer assembled to another surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The membrane electrode assembly contains cerium ions. The membrane electrode assembly includes a power-generation region and a non-power-generation region. The power-generation region includes the catalyst layers on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane in a center portion. The non-power-generation region is without the catalyst layer on at least one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane in an outer periphery portion. A cerium ion content per area in the power-generation region is larger than a cerium ion content per area in the non-power-generation region.

A membrane electrode assembly for the fuel cell includes a solid polymer electrolyte membrane, an anode catalyst layer assembled to one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane, and a cathode catalyst layer assembled to another surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane. The membrane electrode assembly contains cerium ions. The membrane electrode assembly includes a power-generation region and a non-power-generation region. The power-generation region includes the catalyst layers on both surfaces of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane in a center portion. The non-power-generation region is without the catalyst layer on at least one surface of the solid polymer electrolyte membrane in an outer periphery portion. A cerium ion content per area in the power-generation region is larger than a cerium ion content per area in the non-power-generation region.

Disclosed are an electrolyte membrane with improved ion conductivity and enhanced water transport and a method for manufacturing the same. The electrolyte membrane includes an ion transport layer including an ionomer having proton conductivity and a catalyst dispersed in the ion transport layer, and the catalyst includes a support including a shell configured to have a designated shape and size and to be hollow and at least one hole configured to allow an inner space to communicate with an outside therethrough, and a metal supported on the support.

Disclosed are an electrolyte membrane with improved ion conductivity and enhanced water transport and a method for manufacturing the same. The electrolyte membrane includes an ion transport layer including an ionomer having proton conductivity and a catalyst dispersed in the ion transport layer, and the catalyst includes a support including a shell configured to have a designated shape and size and to be hollow and at least one hole configured to allow an inner space to communicate with an outside therethrough, and a metal supported on the support.

The present invention relates to a class of polymer ion imbibed membranes for electrolyte flow batteries. The membranes are a conducting aromatic polyether type copolymer bearing nitrogen heterocycles groups, especially pyridine type. While the membranes can be used in acid, basic, and neutral electrolytes, the nitrogen heterocycles in the membrane interact with acid in the electrolyte to form a proton transport network, so as to keep the proton transport performance of the membrane. The membrane has excellent mechanical stability and thermostability as well as tunable porosity.

The present invention relates to a class of polymer ion imbibed membranes for electrolyte flow batteries. The membranes are a conducting aromatic polyether type copolymer bearing nitrogen heterocycles groups, especially pyridine type. While the membranes can be used in acid, basic, and neutral electrolytes, the nitrogen heterocycles in the membrane interact with acid in the electrolyte to form a proton transport network, so as to keep the proton transport performance of the membrane. The membrane has excellent mechanical stability and thermostability as well as tunable porosity.

A membrane electrode assembly for a solid polymer fuel cell and a solid polymer fuel cell that have excellent adhesion at an interface between an electrode catalyst layer and a polymer electrolyte membrane are provided. The membrane electrode assembly for a solid polymer fuel cell according to the present embodiment includes electrode catalyst layers (8) laminated on both sides of a polymer electrolyte membrane (9). The electrode catalyst layer (8) contains a catalyst (10), a carbon particle (11), and a polymer electrolyte (12) . At least one void portion (14) is formed at an interface between the electrode catalyst layer (8) and the polymer electrolyte membrane (9) . When a height being a length of the void portion (14) in a direction orthogonal to the interface is denoted as h, and a width being a length of the void portion (14) in a direction parallel to the interface is denoted as w, in a case that a section obtained by cutting the membrane electrode assembly for a solid polymer fuel cell by a plane orthogonal to the interface is observed by an SEM, the height h is less than or equal to 0.5 .Math.m, and the total of a width w of the void portion (14) existing in an area with a length of 30 .Math.m in a direction parallel to the interface is less than or equal to 10 .Math.m, at each of the interfaces on both sides of the polymer electrolyte membrane (9) .